tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45886749775333636562015-10-23T11:15:00.638-04:00Ride a bikeJenninoreply@blogger.comBlogger411125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-59663082751180175832009-05-16T22:03:00.002-04:002009-05-16T22:04:04.109-04:00LunacyI miss the writing I used to do on this blog. The transfer to the new one is just not the same. I wonder what it is.Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-67111719663299431352009-01-31T12:20:00.001-05:002009-02-06T00:14:52.726-05:00New Blog is UP!I have my new blog up- email me at jenlaurita@gmail.com if you didn't already get an email with the new address. Mike, I couldn't get in touch with you. Anyone else, see ya over there soon!<br />I'll be vomiting and wonderful there.Jenninoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-8789828329659544202009-01-20T09:04:00.001-05:002009-01-20T09:05:00.014-05:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SXXaDE48rRI/AAAAAAAABbI/jeE2dEBSkSg/s1600-h/0120090902-700015.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SXXaDE48rRI/AAAAAAAABbI/jeE2dEBSkSg/s320/0120090902-700015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293376683430948114" /></a></p>best. tshirt. ever.Jenninoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-50009027551265730732009-01-08T00:24:00.003-05:002009-01-08T02:48:39.295-05:00The end of this blogI've decided I'm am not going to write this blog anymore. I am definitely going to continue to blog, just not here. If you would like to still follow me, post here (we can work out contact infor) and I will let you know where/when the new blog will pop up.Jenninoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-65157099959673351082009-01-05T21:54:00.004-05:002009-01-05T21:56:12.222-05:00Dear 2008Dear 2008,<br />It is with a mix of emotions that I say good bye to you. Without doubt you have been the hardest of all my years. You taught me a lot, you took from me a lot, and you are leaving me a far better person than you found me.<br />In your beginning, I started with promises. I have always enjoyed making promises to the New Year and 2009 will be no exception. I enjoyed keeping all but one of those promises to you, the exception being that I never did get to do a split. A silly ambition, I know, but one I wanted nonetheless. <br />I did keep my promises to you though, 2008. I promised to do a lot of nice things for people, and I feel I did that. Unfortunately, I did some really hurtful things to some people too, and it has helped me learn some extraordinarily powerful lessons. It helped me learn that for all the promises I made and kept, I didn't make the kind that are the most important- I didn't make any promise to be mindful. In the beginning, I had not developed a deep sense of mindfulness of others. My promises were all self-serving for the most part- ride a lot of miles, get published, lose weight. I didn't think of a deeper spiritual place, I wasn't selfless. <br />In your year, my 33rd, I grew more than I have ever grown before. I sat in front of a doctor and I heard the word cancer. It's pretty much the only word I heard that day, every other utterance is a blur. And I cried. I cried deep, choking, tears for literally months on end. Sometimes I cried for entire days. I don't mean that in a poetic way either. I cried for the hurt I caused, I cried for the friends I lost, I cried for myself and my body, I cried for my son, for my mother on her knees before me telling me she wished she could take my cancer. But I also cried for joy. I cried for the love that was given to me by so many people who knew I was hurting. I cried out of a grateful heart to the doctors and nurses and healers who comforted me and showered me with kindness. I cried when I heard the word benign. I'm crying now.<br />I am deeply grateful for all the lessons you gave me. You taught me that I possess strength deeper than I ever imagined, and more importantly how to farm that strength- how to plant seeds of goodness that grow into positivity. You gave me my religion this year which helps me everyday to understand the world and to be present. <br />As I reflect back on this year, I see major trials. Not even major, they were gargantuan. WERE. They're not anymore. And so into 2009 I carry a sense of peacefulness and happiness knowing that it's going to be a good year. It can't not be, I won't allow it. <br />I am looking forward to 2009. I am hoping that it will be filled with health for myself and my loved ones. I am hoping it will be filled with healing- healing of hearts, <span style="font-style:italic;">healing of friendships with people I still deeply miss</span>, and many many miles of safe and fun bike riding. <br /> <br />Thank you 2008. Now go away.Jenninoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-36737969471232215892009-01-03T09:36:00.004-05:002009-01-03T12:13:28.947-05:00Worst Resume EverOnce, a long time ago, I was a recruiter for AT&T. I would spend my days searching resumes, receiving resumes, interviewing, and memorizing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Newtons-Telecom-Dictionary-24th-Telecommunications/dp/0979387310/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230993568&sr=1-2">Harry Newton's Telecom Dictionary</a> which though it sounds terribly dull (ok it is) the author has a great sense of humor and infuses much of it into his dictionary with arbitrary cultural references and amusing anecdotes. <br />One day, I came across the single worst resume I had ever seen. I've removed the personal information and copied the body here. <br /><br />Read it thoroughly, it's worth it- my favorite part being, <span style="font-style:italic;">"Taugted children basic skills in reading , writing"</span>. Then let's see how many errors you can find. For what it's worth, I contacted the person, offered to edit their resume and send it back to them, which I did. Months later I found the identical resume still on Monster. sigh.<br />My problem isn't that some people can't write well, or spell. It's that someone didn't take any care to have this looked over for even the smallest of errors. OR that a professional recruiter redid the resume for them to use instead, but they chose to stick with this one. Oh well. <br /><br /> All typos are original.<br /><strong><br /><em>To obtain an award winning career so that I can use my skills to the best of my ability. </em></strong><br /> <br />EXPERIENCE: 12/2004 - 7/2006 DR.Bunn's office Melrose Park, IL <br /><br /> Industry: Healthcare Services <br />Front office receptionis <br />Answering telephones , sceduling appointment Billing insurance companys and resolving billing issues. <br /><br />11/2005 - 3/2006 kiddie kandidis Lombard, IL <br /><br /> Industry: Retail <br /><br /> SAles associate <br />I had to put the finishing touches on the pitchers the photographer has taken of the children and thie family so that they can purchase. <br /><br />4/2000 - 10/2002 United chamber Downers Grove, IL <br /><br /> Industry: Healthcare Services <br /><br /> Customer service representative <br /><br />Answering incominig calls from policy holders ,providers ,agents and master marketing representative and advising them on claims status.Resolve billing issues, provide policy administative asistanton claim analys and communicate with all otherdepartment on behalf of the policy holder, providers and agentmastering representative. <br /><br /> 11/1997 - 5/2001 Broadview Park Dist Broadview, IL <br /><br /> Industry: Education <br /><br /> Child care coordinator <br /><br />Supervised small children ages 3-5 Taugted children basic skills in reading , writing and drawing. Maintained a safe playing enviroment for the children. <br /><br /> <br />EDUCATION: 12/2005 OLympia College US-IL-Burr Ridge <br /><br />Some College Coursework Completed <br />I graduated from olympia college with a 3.5GPA in the medical administrative Diplomia program.Jenninoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-48093040866821172202009-01-01T19:44:00.001-05:002009-01-01T20:06:41.834-05:00Starting the new year off right<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SV1j8_8q3XI/AAAAAAAABZw/mVa5ZXHQ_YU/s1600-h/0101091946-703211.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SV1j8_8q3XI/AAAAAAAABZw/mVa5ZXHQ_YU/s320/0101091946-703211.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286491437212032370" /></a></p><br />Alright so I started the year off well by riding this morning. I spent the majority of my day cleaning the kitchen and prepping foods so I can be back on my healthy eating plan. It was a great (and generous) indulgence to allow myself to eat pretty much whatever I wanted, though I was still reserved about a lot of things, I still refused to add sugar to anything, but I ate nut balls covered in powdered sugar (for breakfast of course). Don't try to understand my logic, it's very complicated- unless you're a woman reading this and then you understand. <br />So, back to the no flour, no sugar, no meat, no dairy, no dried fruit, no soy. Sounds restrictive but it's a very great way to eat when you get the hang of it- and no food ups and downs. I have no cravings, though I do feel I need to eat several small meals a day.<br />Anyway, my dessert right now is cantoloupe with fresh lime juice squeezed over it. If you've never tried this, you definitely need to. The lime is just the most pleasant brief sour taste before the sweetness of the cantaloupe. <br /><br />As an aside, I would again like to thank my mother for the whooppee cushion she got Gray. Boy that is the gift that keeps on giving. I especially loved it when I was trying to take a nap today and Gray snuck into the room and assploded, scaring the whooppee out of <em>me</em>.Jenninoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-46851331045414452932009-01-01T12:02:00.005-05:002009-01-01T12:37:41.950-05:00New Year's Day ride 2009 pt. 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz_URKqiXI/AAAAAAAABZg/j1EtEy7XGQQ/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz_URKqiXI/AAAAAAAABZg/j1EtEy7XGQQ/s400/Picture+4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286380786296719730" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3qOcMY6I/AAAAAAAABZQ/rkZi7tCbQ8o/s1600-h/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3qOcMY6I/AAAAAAAABZQ/rkZi7tCbQ8o/s400/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286372367429034914" /></a><br />Crazy, party of one.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3qEqldEI/AAAAAAAABZI/aeQrYH_UsvY/s1600-h/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3qEqldEI/AAAAAAAABZI/aeQrYH_UsvY/s400/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286372364805043266" /></a><br />Ah this bench. I've sat on this bench for so many thought-filled moments- when my sister learned her brain tumor had returned, when I was considering heart surgery again, when I've just needed a place to reflect. Today, it somehow didn't seem as inviting, can't quite put my finger on it...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3pzVV5zI/AAAAAAAABZA/y-roYM9axrM/s1600-h/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3pzVV5zI/AAAAAAAABZA/y-roYM9axrM/s400/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286372360152540978" /></a><br />I think this is my new favorite picture. Go prayer flags, go!!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3pQuPhNI/AAAAAAAABY4/Gvvzn7E7BDU/s1600-h/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3pQuPhNI/AAAAAAAABY4/Gvvzn7E7BDU/s400/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286372350861739218" /></a><br />So here's me, after my very short ride. It was 19 degrees to start and with the windchill it was below zero. I rode just out to the Piermont Pier and back, stopping along the way to hang the prayer flags and take pictures of the extraordinary day. As I was tying the flags, my fingers burned with cold and I thought, "This is what it must be like to die on Everest". And I thought of all those beautiful flags flying in the wind around Everest. I do so love all things Everest, Bear Grylls book, The Kid Who Climbed Everest" is one of my favorite books. But I digress...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3pUOKpZI/AAAAAAAABYw/GrA-O-tnHfg/s1600-h/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz3pUOKpZI/AAAAAAAABYw/GrA-O-tnHfg/s400/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286372351800944018" /></a><br />Shawn and Joppa came out to say hello. Poor Daniel, got sick last night and is in no shape to ride. It was nice to see their smiling faces and get some really great hugs. In 2009 I vow to ride a ton more miles with both of them, two of my favorite people who I really just love. Thanks for coming out you guys, it meant so much to see you. We talked for a few minutes and I declared that today's ride was really going to be in ceremony, it's way too dangerous to actually ride roads- we got a bunch of snow yesterday and the black ice coupled with the massive wind gusts were just too daunting. I'm crazy, not stupid. But as such good friends, Shawn and Joppa offered to follow me in their van while I rode- that's bike friends for you- they understood my need to ride, not even one attempt to talk me out of it. I love that more than I can say. Wow, good people. <br /><br />So, yeah, the ride itself was relatively uneventful, thank goodness. I rode very slowly and carefully- I didn't bother to put my bike shoes on, just my sneakers. I just took my time and tried not to get blown over. I think I did about 1.6 miles total. And that was enough. <br /><br />2009, off to a good start! May we all have the wind at our backs.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz9K5szs0I/AAAAAAAABZY/fAc_uTkIk2k/s1600-h/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVz9K5szs0I/AAAAAAAABZY/fAc_uTkIk2k/s400/New+Year%27s+Day+ride+2009+019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286378426355397442" /></a>Jenninoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-73180171739082421212009-01-01T10:36:00.000-05:002009-01-01T10:38:34.034-05:00New Year bike ride <p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVzjej0H7jI/AAAAAAAABYo/mACZmFuXO0Y/s1600-h/downsized_0101091023-714035.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVzjej0H7jI/AAAAAAAABYo/mACZmFuXO0Y/s320/downsized_0101091023-714035.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286350176775564850" /></a></p>I hung these prayer flags down by the end of Piermont Pier. They immediately went to work, I think I&#39;ve never seen it so windy on the pier. More pics to follow when I get home. This is one crazy day for riding.Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-89297262249663994582008-12-30T16:06:00.004-05:002008-12-30T18:39:30.716-05:00The fun house<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqw2AgzJFI/AAAAAAAABYg/llvGgHlqJYs/s1600-h/cardboard+house+034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqw2AgzJFI/AAAAAAAABYg/llvGgHlqJYs/s400/cardboard+house+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285731554569692242" /></a><br />How many pencils can fit in one pocket?!<br /><br />What a great day for a project!<br />Someone gave Gray this house for Christmas- I instantly knew we'd love it. Automatic fort!<br />Today we decided it was time to put it up and decorate it, we had some extra company, my neighbor Jay and his daughter Julia and adorable Noah and Gray of course.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqNknYIzfI/AAAAAAAABYQ/3XyLIiHPAB8/s1600-h/Video+Snapshot-5.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqNknYIzfI/AAAAAAAABYQ/3XyLIiHPAB8/s400/Video+Snapshot-5.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285692772857728498" /></a><br />So this is the house "before". Julia reminds me of me here- anyone else think so?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqNkgnadBI/AAAAAAAABYI/b7FlsZ08ZE8/s1600-h/Video+Snapshot-6.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqNkgnadBI/AAAAAAAABYI/b7FlsZ08ZE8/s400/Video+Snapshot-6.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285692771042751506" /></a><br />Slowly coming along...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqNkqXF4II/AAAAAAAABYA/9Mpzuzly96M/s1600-h/Photo+31.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqNkqXF4II/AAAAAAAABYA/9Mpzuzly96M/s400/Photo+31.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285692773658648706" /></a><br />Here's some of the finished product. I actually <span style="font-style:italic;">wove</span> the duct tape on the door, including a duct tape kick plate that you can't actually see. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqw1gOQVwI/AAAAAAAABYY/n-bJDXzRPAU/s1600-h/cardboard+house+044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVqw1gOQVwI/AAAAAAAABYY/n-bJDXzRPAU/s400/cardboard+house+044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285731545901979394" /></a><br />The kids had so much fun putting their own special touches on the house. And bonus, this activity involved all of us, having fun together, for the entire afternoon. No tv, no video games, and tons of laughter. We didn't even finish half the house.Jenninoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-20110927291740009642008-12-29T08:31:00.003-05:002008-12-29T08:36:18.045-05:0010K statue stolen from Madoff- love it$10K statue stolen from Madoff's Florida estate<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">My favorite part of this story is the quote from the investigator- "no leads, not a single clue". Read: We're not bothering to look. Go take more, we won't have any clues then either. <span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> </span><br /><br />(CNN) -- Police say a sizable statue worth more than $10,000 was stolen this month from the posh Florida estate of Bernard Madoff, the Wall Street investment adviser accused of operating a $50 billion Ponzi scheme.<br /><br />The 4-foot-high statue, which portrays two lifeguards sitting on a bench, was stolen December 19 from Madoff's estate in Palm Beach, police said.<br /><br />The theft happened eight days after Madoff was arrested in New York in connection with the investment fraud allegations.<br /><br />"The property manager left the residence one afternoon, and when she returned, she noticed a statue that was normally kept by the pool was missing," Palm Beach police Sgt. Richard Sorge said.<br /><br />Sorge said investigators have "no leads, not a single clue" in the investigation of the heist.Jenninoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-87136908286565469822008-12-28T20:07:00.001-05:002008-12-28T20:09:19.542-05:00Sweet Pea update!From Natalie, "...In the next few weeks, I will send you an initial design drawing of your Sweetpea so you can have a little chunk of your future joy to look at."<br /><br />YEAH!! Ooooh, I can't wait.<br /><br />That is all.Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-5184758760090278562008-12-27T10:27:00.003-05:002008-12-28T20:13:46.888-05:00Cool or creepy?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVZJZ6dcqPI/AAAAAAAABXo/O9bqmwfD8mw/s1600-h/bigcontacts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 354px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVZJZ6dcqPI/AAAAAAAABXo/O9bqmwfD8mw/s400/bigcontacts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284491922304182514" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">UPDATE:</span> I've decided. <span style="font-weight:bold;">CREEPY.</span><br />So here's this company selling extra large contacts so you can look like a Japanese cartoon character. Wow. I'm stuck between cool or creepy. Certainly awesome for Halloween...And I can't help but wonder how they help make your eyes watery.<br /><br /><em>Anyone who's seen Japanese comics, cartoon videos or anime art is instantly struck by the common look of the girls - big eyes that, by making the rest of the face look small, add the cuteness and sex appeal prized by many Japanese men. Since no amount of cosmetic surgery will make actual human eyes larger, some girls are trying another way to up their cute quotient: extra-wide contact lenses!<br /><br />These are no ordinary contacts - they're not only tinted, but tinted prominently in the extra-wide outer ring. The result is the appearance of a bigger, wider iris. <br /><br />To quote the sales copy, "Wanna get big, watery shiny eyes without any surgery? CRAVE AND ENVY NO MORE!"<br /><br />The extra-wide contact lenses are made by a variety of companies including Geo and Dueba, and cost in the $30-$50 per pair range. It seems they're not just cosmetic - send in your prescription and the lenses will be made to order. </em>Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-2214987291302129752008-12-26T16:26:00.004-05:002008-12-26T16:34:15.144-05:00Christmas Day ride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVVNxTzcxaI/AAAAAAAABXg/DnqS32EC80c/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 75px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVVNxTzcxaI/AAAAAAAABXg/DnqS32EC80c/s400/Picture+3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284215247314142626" /></a><br />I don't know why the hill profile seems to understate the magnitude of the hills we did on this ride- it's making the ride look hill-benign which it absolutely was not. Oh well. I can tell you we weaved all over Suffern in an effort to stay warm and make our short one-hour ride time count. Who am I kidding, I would've dragged Daniel up these hills even if we had all day. They just felt so good!<br />It was ridiculously windy (I think 35 mph gusts) which made the otherwise mild day get bitterly cold. No matter, I was so happy to squeeze in some ride time on Christmas Day before heading off to visit family. <br />Very little traffic on the nice back roads we took and not too much ice/slush on the roads. My mom's driveway- a completely different story. We had to saddle up on the road. It's nice though that Daniel and I have a standing (no pun intended) agreement that should one of us fall it's expected the other will laugh first, offer help second. That's friendship for you.Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-1985708383264362002008-12-25T10:11:00.000-05:002008-12-25T10:12:16.157-05:00Merry Christmas!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVOi0JBT11I/AAAAAAAABXQ/Fc9D4tdoOJs/s1600-h/1225081010a-736158.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVOi0JBT11I/AAAAAAAABXQ/Fc9D4tdoOJs/s320/1225081010a-736158.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283745804494034770" /></a></p>Merry Christmas Everyone!Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-51047757150403407302008-12-24T18:15:00.003-05:002008-12-24T18:29:08.560-05:00Platelet donation #1, Done!I got up ridiculously early this morning to make it to my platelet donation appointment at 7:00. The black ice and frozen car-sicle didn't stop me from getting there. I was pumped!<br />Went through the usual check in procedures and then I went to the chair. Donating platelets is totally different from donating blood- blood is drawn out and then returned to your body after the platelets are removed. The needle this time seemed a little bigger than the usual, or maybe it was just a tad more painful. No big deal. And the blood drawing part is a piece of cake- however the return portion is a little uncomfortable. <br />Blood is allowed to draw out at a natural rate, but it's returned much more quickly so it creates a sort of pressure in your vein. It's also cold- not catscan contrast cold for those who know, but it's slightly cooler than when it comes out. I was glad the phlebotomist told me that before I felt it, it was a little freaky.<br />All in all, this entire process took a little over an hour. There was no dizzy feeling, no ill feelings at all except for the discomfort of the blood going back in and a slight tingling feeling on my lips from the anticoagulant used in the return process. And I learned my platelet count was 284 which they said was very good. Who knows. <br />I definitely recommend doing this- platelets are used in cancer treatment and if there aren't any available, it takes 8 pints to get enough for one treatment. Wow! And unlike blood which can only be donated every 56 days, platelets can be done every 3. They are only good for 5 days, so the demand is always there. <br />It felt awesome to do this. I loaded Office Space on my JenniPod™ and zoned out. And I got to eat cookies for breakfast. Lunch and dinner too (thanks Wil!).Jenninoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-85034566006333061742008-12-23T14:11:00.003-05:002008-12-23T14:18:17.752-05:00I'm blown away<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVE4EtnRfWI/AAAAAAAABXI/g2j-SnhfJxI/s1600-h/Sara+Ruth+card.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SVE4EtnRfWI/AAAAAAAABXI/g2j-SnhfJxI/s400/Sara+Ruth+card.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283065491497254242" /></a><br />I'm totally blown away. <br />I just received this card and a bag of York Peppermint Patties (my favorite) from a student I haven't taught since I was in Georgia. A lot of times teaching is a pain in the butt. It's frustrating, it's exhausting, it's maddening, it's complicated and all-consuming. And then you get a student like this- one who stays with you through the years. <br />What an amazing thing it has been to witness her growing into a woman from the 12 year old girl I taught and tried to get to eat stinky cheese in class. That she is growing into such a supporting, strong woman, wow. Just wow.<br />Totally made me cry. I much prefer the happy tears.Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-53270732996729552932008-12-21T13:07:00.002-05:002008-12-21T13:19:58.994-05:00Such a fun night<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SU6GBq8V_fI/AAAAAAAABWw/LJeLZX5Su84/s1600-h/Jenni+and+Tony.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SU6GBq8V_fI/AAAAAAAABWw/LJeLZX5Su84/s400/Jenni+and+Tony.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282306776217550322" /></a><br />What fun last night was. I was supposed to go dancing with my friends Vanessa and Angelique but we changed plans and decided not to venture out into all this snow. Then I went to Toga and chatted with Tony for a bit- I've known him for 3 years or so and never hung out- he's got this energy about him, one of those people that knows everyone, that you feel instant friendship. He also happens to give phenominal hugs. <br />Anyway, when I should have been finishing my Christmas shopping, I instead took a gorgeous hike at Hook Mountain in Nyack (which actually was flat and right along the Hudson) in the bitter bitter cold- I felt invigorated by climbing through the deep snow, feeling the stinging air numb my face and fronts of my thighs. What a workout it was! Got to pet a few doggies, always a plus in my day, then came home for a bit and decided to take Tony up on his offer to dance. <br />We met at Casa del Sol to listen to a local favorite, Frankie D. We danced. And danced. And danced. I met the band, I was almost cajoled into playing the congas but thankfully my performance anxiety won and I got to go back to dancing. <br />Saw an old friend I have missed, met some new friends, and had just the most fun time. A much needed catharsis I have to say. And I think it's the first time I've been out in that sort of situation since I've given up alcohol, not that alcohol has ever been particularly prominent in my life. I didn't miss it at all. It's just as much fun to watch other people embibe. Though the desire to stop for a slice of pizza was nearly overwhelming...that one I still struggle with.Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-86902445413191628662008-12-19T20:37:00.002-05:002008-12-19T20:53:13.639-05:00Technologic and Gray<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jexomTawQx0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jexomTawQx0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Gray absolutely loves this song. He cannot stand still when the Lincoln commercial comes on. So I grabbed it from YouTube and caught him dancing. It's funny because he and I dance every day and this song makes him move his body in a completely different way. <br /><br />Heck, here, I'll put this up too. This is our afternoon dance time. <br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tKz6_fN6mac&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tKz6_fN6mac&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-567013577479895892008-12-18T08:52:00.003-05:002008-12-18T08:59:52.239-05:00Platelet Donation Day!Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting a tinglin' too, c'mon it's lovely weather for a platelet donation with you....<br /><br />DECEMBER 24th, 7:00 AM I'll be giving my first platelet donation.<br /><br />Who wants to come with for whole blood donation? Or platelets? The platelet donation takes about 2 hours. I getting up early and getting it done. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.nybloodcenter.org/index.jsp"> Go here</a> to check it out.Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-14723253998527664492008-12-17T13:15:00.003-05:002008-12-17T14:15:36.262-05:00Why did this remind me of Gerry?<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B72fbXDQ7Lg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B72fbXDQ7Lg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />OMG. I am laughing.<br /><br />And this is just unbelievable. <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ofpYRITtLSg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ofpYRITtLSg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />One more. To brighten your day:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LTLptH63gIs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LTLptH63gIs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-22287680548123069512008-12-15T20:51:00.005-05:002008-12-15T21:20:52.255-05:00Wonderful night ride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SUcP-woA2rI/AAAAAAAABWo/jRwVE1SPq7Q/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 358px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SUcP-woA2rI/AAAAAAAABWo/jRwVE1SPq7Q/s400/Picture+4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280206658994231986" /></a><br /><br />I would have liked to edit these movies together alas I can't figure out how to do it in iMovie. I think perhaps it's not possible in the format my phone records and I don't care to try to figure it out. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vpv-QZ1bxAw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vpv-QZ1bxAw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jRgD_Pr0gbE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jRgD_Pr0gbE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />It's funny what things look like at night. A large tree stump looked like an elephant, the reflective eyes of the deer like marbles. I hit a bunch of potholes, even though I was intently scanning the road. I slid out on a manhole cover, and Grrmin took me on a very dangerous, ultra busy busy road that I thought might surely kill me. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SUcK2FSKnyI/AAAAAAAABWg/4DO1q2674Yw/s1600-h/Video+Snapshot-1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SUcK2FSKnyI/AAAAAAAABWg/4DO1q2674Yw/s400/Video+Snapshot-1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280201012362780450" /></a><br />I was so happy with the ride for several reasons. First, it's a gorgeous night. It started raining ever so slightly when I started, but I was determined to do justice to my LiveStrong jersey that arrived today. <br /><br /><br />I felt strong. I felt my body remembering how I ride- three months is a long time to not ride regularly. My legs were loving the effort, and I was able to maintain 18-20 mph for quite some time. I particularly loved maintaining my cadence up the small inclines. I don't know what exactly it was, my body just fell into the rhythm. I didn't need my usual 10 mile warm up- maybe that's the effect of my better nutrition? Who knows. But it was a fun night, that's for sure. And p.s. the LiveStrong jersey is extremely comfortable and well-fitting. I'm excited to be wearing it.Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-71461491547462214442008-12-14T18:20:00.003-05:002008-12-14T18:28:57.098-05:00Sunday Ride con senor Daniel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SUWU6FCkqYI/AAAAAAAABWY/Wjr6WwxvZag/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 92px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SUWU6FCkqYI/AAAAAAAABWY/Wjr6WwxvZag/s400/Picture+4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279789863668066690" /></a><br />I was in the mood for hills, today didn't disappoint. I feel fresh, I feel happy, I feel like getting back in shape! I'm happy to say I've sufficiently hit on the formula for keeping warm, so the winter riding isn't as painful as it once was. Or maybe I've just gotten better gear, who knows.<br />We left from my house late in the afternoon, both of us dressed in so much black we looked like we were going to rob someone. If black is slimming then we were both two-dimensional. Actually, I am almost two dimensional, but that's another story.<br />We rode up Jacqueline to the Apple store, though I couldn't convince Daniel to buy me anything. Some friend.<br />Took a little meandering way back, then I graciously gave Daniel the option of going back the flat way or heading straight and hitting a hill. I said it was steep. He didn't care. So steep we went. Man, that hill felt good. <br />The ride was a little short but who cares, it got our blood pumping and fresh air in our lungs. Daniel's bike is ridiculously light. I think if I had a bike as light as his, I'd easily gain 2 mph. It's not fair, it's not fair!!<br />If anyone wants to buy me a Cervelo, let me know.Jenninoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-78974142043579231362008-12-12T15:23:00.000-05:002008-12-12T15:25:45.678-05:00Like something from a Godfather movie<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SULIyc0p8cI/AAAAAAAABWQ/wRuQfBem45A/s1600-h/1209080741-745682.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SULIyc0p8cI/AAAAAAAABWQ/wRuQfBem45A/s320/1209080741-745682.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279002482287702466" /></a></p>That&#39;s just weird.Jenninoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588674977533363656.post-77422877216547823002008-12-11T14:09:00.000-05:002008-12-11T14:10:06.014-05:00'You're cancer free'<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SUFljo6EWVI/AAAAAAAABWI/h6LJsyna91I/s1600-h/downsized_1211081329-706017.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f29cGw_rGv0/SUFljo6EWVI/AAAAAAAABWI/h6LJsyna91I/s320/downsized_1211081329-706017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278611901205731666" /></a></p>The best words I&#39;ve ever heard.Jenninoreply@blogger.com5